The Swim Ireland Irish Age Group and Summer Open takes place in the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin from Wednesday July 20 to Sunday July 24. The Enniskillen Lakelanders have eleven Senior Squad members qualified for the event – once again supported by Cavanagh Kelly.
Sorcha Lavelle, having just turned 15 last week, will be competing in the highly competitive 2000/2001 year group against girls that have recently competed at the European Junior and Senior Championships. She has qualified in eight events for this competition but has decided to concentrate on her strongest strokes being the 100m and 200m Breaststroke, 200m Individual Medley and the 100m Butterfly.
Sorcha has had a great 2015/16 season picking up two Ulster Squad Times, PB’s, Division 1 qualifying times and medals. Her highlights of the season were winning double gold at the Secondary Schools Gala and a place at the Ulster Schools Training camp in Tenerife Oct 2016, two Finals at the Dave McCullagh International Meet in March and Medalling in each event she competed in at the Ulster Age Groups in early April. From this competition Sorcha is hoping to come away with PB’s and Ulster Squad Times for 2016/17.
Orla Keaveney – age 12 - is racing for the first time in the Irish Age Groups, joining the Lakelanders Team to compete in the relay events and nine individual events in the 2002/2003 age group. Orla sees these Championships as valuable experience, having won bronze medals in the 200m Breaststroke and 400m Freestyle at the Ulster Age groups in March. Orla’s events are a good combination of sprints, qualifying for the open 50m Freestyle, the 100m Freestyle and Breaststroke, as well as four 200m events – Freestyle, Breaststroke, Individual Medley and Backstroke. In addition, Orla has the two 400m events – Freestyle and Individual Medley. Orla does not have a preferred stroke, yet she knows her technique is improving, with recent PBs showing a burst of form that should give her a boost of confidence. Orla will race hard and is ambitious to qualify for a final in her first year in Dublin.
Ben Lynch born in 2003 has had another year of great improvement and has qualified for four events at Irish Age Group division one. He will be competing in 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m Freestyle with the longer distances being his favourite and best events.
13yr old Kealan McShea (2002) will swim at this level for the first time competing in the 2001/2002 age group. His commitment to training saw him achieve many Division 2 times during the season, but determined to reach Division 1 this year a brilliant swim in Swim Ulster Age group Championship saw him achieve his coveted Division 1 time in his favourite stroke 100m Backcrawl.
Caitlin Love (2002) has had a good year of swimming so far which includes achieving her Ulster squad time for 2015/16 and being selected to go to Tenerife in October 2016. Caitlin is swimming in five events in Dublin: 100m and 200m Butterfly, 100 Breaststroke, 200m IM and 800m Freestyle. Caitlin hopes to achieve new PBs and her Ulster Squad time for 2016/17.
Natasha Love will be competing in the Open Section at Division 1, swimming against all aged 16 & over as well as the international athletes. Natasha has been prepared for this level, competing with swimmers from all continents several times this year. The 2015-16 club captain has had an eventful season, winning the Ulster Schools Cup & Championship and going on to represent a winning Ulster team at interprovincial level for the second year in a row. Natasha will also be travelling with the Ulster schools team on an England/Scotland tour later this year. At this competition she will be focusing on Backstroke events and will be aiming to re-qualify for the Ulster Squad next season.
Rachel Evans, 14, goes to Division 1 to compete in the Breaststroke having concentrated on it this year rather than her usual favourite, the Freestyle. In the upcoming season she will work on the other two remaining strokes to improve her all-round ability.
Ellie McCartney is swimming a year ahead of herself in this year’s championships. Being born in 2005, the 11-year-old will be swimming against some people who are almost two years older than her. Having qualified for five events, the current Irish Schools Breaststroke Champion is swimming her favourite events – 100m & 200m Breaststroke - as well as the 200m Individual Medley. Recently Ellie spent some pool time with former Olympian Breaststroker, Andrew Bree, and she hopes that the additional training tips will help her reach a final or two.
Tara McKenzie, 12 years old, hit the competitive swimming scene in September 2015 and has not stopped since. Attending galas throughout Ireland she has swam extremely well in Breaststroke, Freestyle, Butterfly and IM. Breaststroke is her first stroke and she was over the moon to get a division one time. Tara is really looking forward to swimming in this competition and gaining important competitive swimming experience.
This is Oisin McManus’ second time at the IAG Division 1 and despite qualifying for seven events Oisin has chosen to concentrate on the 200m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle, 1500m Freestyle and the 100m Backstroke. Being born in 2003 means at 13yrs Old Oisin is seeded highly in all his events but he is most hopeful about the 1500m Freestyle where he is seeded in third. In last year’s IAG Championships, Oisin was at the youngest level within a very tough age group, now one year later his position has changed and he intends to give this event his all, and with his run of recent results, this could be his year at National level.
Jack Marvalakis, 14, will be competing in his favourite events , 200m Breaststroke and 100m Breaststroke and also mixed relays. Jack has had a great year, winning many medals at high level galas and swimming PB’s every time he competed. When he achieved his Division One time he was 10 seconds inside it. Jack will be up against the top swimmers in Ireland and beyond, and as he is 14 will be swimming against older 15 year olds, but I am sure as always Jack will do his very best.
This year the Enniskillen Lakelanders will be entering six relays in total – The most the club has ever competed in at this level. 
Many of the swimmers mentioned above as well as Niamh O’Kane, Lewis McCartney and Connor McKenzie will compete against the best Ireland has to offer.
Thanks to all coaches and the Kit Sponsors, Cavanagh Kelly, in the preparation for this year’s Championships. Follow the results on Meet Mobile or www.facebook.com/EnniskillenLakelanders